MICHIGAN
A series of alleged rapes on MSU's campus has brought the process of handling reported sexual assaults recent publicity.
After a sexual assault is reported, a variety of counselors, detectives and prosecutors are called into action, as an original police report branches out to various departments across the university and community, officials said.
An overwhelming number of sexual assaults are not reported at all, both nationally and at MSU, said Dennis Martell, Olin Health Center health educator.
Many people who have been assaulted but have not made reports come to Olin Health Center's HIV Education, Testing and Counseling Program, Martell said.
"They want to find out what has happened anonymously," Martell said.
If Olin workers suspect a student has been sexually assaulted, they offer themselves as a gateway to other services, such as counseling, Martell said.
"Often people don't seek counseling for months or even years," said Holly Rosen, director of MSU Safe Place.